Six Ways Great Leaders Create High Performing Teams. During a typical day, many of us will encounter individuals operating within a variety of leadership roles. Some of these leaders are good, some are bad, and most are just okay.
According to a recent study by the career site Zippia.com, 77% of employees surveyed, felt leadership is lacking and another 79% said they considered quitting due to a lack of appreciation by their leaders. Another 68% of employees stated they would work harder if they felt that their efforts were better recognised. It is no secret that ineffective leadership carries a great cost to companies.
While there is no single set of criteria on what great leadership looks like, there are six universal characteristics most great leaders share.
- They possess high emotional intelligence and empathy
Leaders are often faced with difficult situations where their anxieties or the anxieties of their team may run high. Having a high degree of emotional intelligence allows them to navigate these situations successfully. Emotional intelligence is typically broken down into four main components.
1. Self-awareness: Being self-aware means that a person can easily make sense of their own feelings and has an awareness of how those feelings may affect those around them.
2. Self-management: Leaders who regulate their emotions will rarely experience emotional outbursts. Being firmly rooted in one’s values, along with the practice of mindfulness, helps to settle the emotions that may crop up during high-stress situations.
3. Social awareness: Leaders who possess a high degree of empathy, which is the ability to put oneself into another’s emotional position, are better equipped to understand and respond to situations.
4. Social management: Developing good social skills leads to enhanced communication. Leaders can then manage change, resolve conflict, and inspire passion within their teams with ease and efficiency.
- They create a culture of honesty and integrity
Great leaders are internally driven by core values that permeate outward to those around them. They know what they believe in and what they stand for. A constant pursuit of truth underlies their choices and actions as well as how they direct their teams. Leading from a position of honesty and truth is not a philosophical moral concept but very much a business essential. Robert Royce said, “If ethics are poor at the top, that behaviour is copied down through the organisation.” Great leaders know this and practice it well.
- They empower their teams to reach their highest potential
Exceptional leaders know that they need a team to get where they are going. Creating clear objectives and goals for their teams, as well as providing their teams with the resources to reach those goals, is a hallmark of any great leader. Arming and equipping teams while also holding them accountable leads to a more confident, more autonomous, and more responsible group of individuals. Great leaders are adept at creating an empowering work environment.
- They are courageous, act decisively, and inspire confidence
Courageous leaders inspire confidence within their teams. They lead from an inner strength that enables them to comfortably make difficult decisions for the long-term well-being of the group. When experiencing multiple failures, an effective leader is undaunted by these failures, views them as collective learning lessons, and can continue to rally the team. They will adjust, innovate, and change direction when needed to reach their goals. A leader that people will confidently follow is one who knows what needs to be done and is willing to go first to get it done.
- They are lifelong learners
It’s tempting to think individuals in high leadership positions have all the answers. Sadly, some leaders believe they actually do. However, great leaders know what they do not know. They are lifelong learners in the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and self-improvement. JFK said, “Leadership and learning are not indispensable.” Having a hunger for knowledge allows individuals to lead themselves as well as their teams more effectively.
- They inspire purpose in those around them
There is no shortage of sports films depicting an emotionally defeated team which lacks the belief they can win against their rival. However, after a stirring speech from their leader, they can go on to great victory. People want to believe in something. Humans are wired to seek meaning and purpose in their lives. Great leaders will tap into that need and bring people along with them towards a common cause.
While there is no exact formula for great leadership, some leadership skills that can be taught. A recent study by Zippia.com found that only 10% of the population are “natural born leaders.” Fortunately, another 20% of the population can be developed over time. Companies that are willing to devote the time and effort required to create tomorrow’s leaders will gain the competitive advantage.
